My name is D’Ixara Batani-Khalfani and I am the daughter of Akil Batani-Khalfani aka ‘Bird’, a deeply respected father, community leader, mentor, historian, advocate and protector whose presence touched countless lives throughout Los Angeles.

My father was a man of dignity, honor, integrity, wisdom, strength, and extraordinary character. He was the kind of man people respected because of how he carried himself, how he treated others and how consistently he showed up for his family and his community. He was loved across generations and races and known by people throughout Los Angeles because he spent his life connecting with others, teaching, guiding, protecting, and sharing his knowledge.

For many years, my father worked with young men through the California Youth Authority as a Youth Gang Counselor. He helped young men transition away from gangs, encouraged them toward education and a different way of life, and became a father figure and mentor to many who needed one.

He was also a treasured Los Angeles and cross-cultural historian. His knowledge of Los Angeles County, its neighborhoods, communities, people, and history was extraordinary. He had been everywhere, knew people from all walks of life and carried stories and history that many people never had the opportunity to learn. He remembered details to the tee. His mind was impeccable. He was also an advocate for bringing Black and Brown communities together and dedicated himself to unity, understanding, and protecting the community. He even documented some of his knowledge and experiences as an author and was featured in documentaries.

But to me my father was so much more than all of the titles people knew him by. He was one of the greatest people I have ever known. He was my protector, my teacher, my source of wisdom, and one of the strongest foundations in my life. I could talk to him about anything. His presence, his mind, his stories, his humor, his guidance and the way he loved me are irreplaceable. The relationship I had with my father was deeply special and losing him has changed my life forever.

On September 30, 2026 in South Central Los Angeles, my father was killed by a hit-and-run driver near 69th Street and Central Avenue in from of the Post Office (7001 S. Central Ave. Los Angeles, Ca 90001) parking lot. The person responsible left the scene, heartlessly leaving my 83 year old father in the street and leaving our family with an unimaginable loss and many unanswered questions.

I created this fundraiser to help our family honor my father with the dignity he deserves, navigate the expenses surrounding his passing, preserve the legacy he spent a lifetime building and continue our pursuit of justice and accountability for what happened to him.

My father spent so much of his life showing up for other people. He gave his wisdom, his time, his protection, his knowledge, and his heart to his family and to his community.

Now I am asking the community to stand with us, help us honor this extraordinary man, and help us make sure that Bird’s life, his legacy, and what happened to him are never forgotten.

#LongLiveBird

#JusticeForBird